Grants a sign of confidence in our future

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 9:02 p.m.

The Golden LEAF Foundation’s grant of almost a half-million dollars to Blue Ridge Community College for advanced manufacturing training bodes well for the future of high-tech industry in the Blue Ridge area.

It wasn’t too long ago that manufacturing was on the decline nationally and in Henderson and Transylvania counties. With the closing of major industrial employers such as the former DuPont film plant and Ecusta paper mill, it looked like industrial jobs in our area were going the way of the dinosaurs, destined to be replaced with lower-paying service jobs.

True, we won’t see huge factories producing X-ray film and paper for cigarettes and Bibles again. The good news is that new and existing high-tech industries consider our area a prime location for expansion, in the same way that craft breweries have been flocking to Western North Carolina.

BRCC plans to use the $485,000 Mid Skills Golden LEAF grant toward its ongoing upgrade of advanced manufacturing training in Henderson and Transylvania counties. The college created its new Mechatronics Engineering Technology program in response to local manufacturers who told BRCC officials they needed more workers trained in mechatronics and advanced manufacturing to meet the needs of a more technologically sophisticated workplace, President Molly Parkhill says.

“Advanced manufacturing workers need to be versed in a wide range of technical fields including engineering, automation, machining, welding, as well as the interpersonal skills required for success in today’s fast-paced, team-oriented work environments,” she said. “Employers in Henderson and Transylvania counties are hiring and estimate they will need more than 1,000 skilled workers in the next five years.”

Mechatronics combines various engineering disciplines including mechanical, electronic, computer, software and system design for applications such as computer-integrated machining. In launching the Mechatronics Engineering Technology associate degree program, BRCC negotiated partnerships with four-year colleges to allow students to continue their engineering training at the bachelor’s degree level.

BRCC is also using funds from a Golden LEAF grant to start mechatronics courses in the fall for high school juniors and seniors at Brevard High School and Balfour Education Center. The college is upgrading its high school labs with enhanced computer integrated machining equipment. That will help students get an early leg up in advanced manufacturing skills.

The two grants to BRCC in such a short period show that state officials recognize that the college has solid plans under way for its advanced manufacturing program, says Julie Thompson, the college’s vice president of economic and workforce development. “The Golden LEAF officials had the confidence that this (money) will be used to meet the needs of our local employers,” she said.

BRCC officials should be applauded for their ongoing work to keep our workforce up to date to serve the needs of existing and prospective high-tech manufacturers. The community has a brighter future thanks to their efforts.

<p>The Golden LEAF Foundation’s grant of almost a half-million dollars to Blue Ridge Community College for advanced manufacturing training bodes well for the future of high-tech industry in the Blue Ridge area.</p><p>It wasn’t too long ago that manufacturing was on the decline nationally and in Henderson and Transylvania counties. With the closing of major industrial employers such as the former DuPont film plant and Ecusta paper mill, it looked like industrial jobs in our area were going the way of the dinosaurs, destined to be replaced with lower-paying service jobs.</p><p>True, we won’t see huge factories producing X-ray film and paper for cigarettes and Bibles again. The good news is that new and existing high-tech industries consider our area a prime location for expansion, in the same way that craft breweries have been flocking to Western North Carolina.</p><p>BRCC plans to use the $485,000 Mid Skills Golden LEAF grant toward its ongoing upgrade of advanced manufacturing training in Henderson and Transylvania counties. The college created its new Mechatronics Engineering Technology program in response to local manufacturers who told BRCC officials they needed more workers trained in mechatronics and advanced manufacturing to meet the needs of a more technologically sophisticated workplace, President Molly Parkhill says.</p><p>Advanced manufacturing workers need to be versed in a wide range of technical fields including engineering, automation, machining, welding, as well as the interpersonal skills required for success in today’s fast-paced, team-oriented work environments, she said. Employers in Henderson and Transylvania counties are hiring and estimate they will need more than 1,000 skilled workers in the next five years.</p><p>Mechatronics combines various engineering disciplines including mechanical, electronic, computer, software and system design for applications such as computer-integrated machining. In launching the Mechatronics Engineering Technology associate degree program, BRCC negotiated partnerships with four-year colleges to allow students to continue their engineering training at the bachelor’s degree level.</p><p>BRCC is also using funds from a Golden LEAF grant to start mechatronics courses in the fall for high school juniors and seniors at Brevard High School and Balfour Education Center. The college is upgrading its high school labs with enhanced computer integrated machining equipment. That will help students get an early leg up in advanced manufacturing skills.</p><p>The two grants to BRCC in such a short period show that state officials recognize that the college has solid plans under way for its advanced manufacturing program, says Julie Thompson, the college’s vice president of economic and workforce development. The Golden LEAF officials had the confidence that this (money) will be used to meet the needs of our local employers, she said.</p><p>BRCC officials should be applauded for their ongoing work to keep our workforce up to date to serve the needs of existing and prospective high-tech manufacturers. The community has a brighter future thanks to their efforts.</p>